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Abbreviations

ASA = Asian Art (anthology)

IAR = Introduction to Asian Religion (@ library reserve counter)

MOO = Masterpieces of the Orient (anthology)

RAP = Religions of Asia in Practice (anthology)

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Extra Credit Readings, Practices & Terms

In selecting a practice & terms for each unit, most people will be drawn to a practice identified in one of the readings guides and addressed in one of the Application Exercises done in class. Interested students may earn **EXTRA CREDIT**, however, by doing additional reading that either (A) provides additional information about one of the above mentioned practices or (B) describes an entirely different practice not yet considered in class. You can also add points to a TRA score by doing a written analysis of one of these optional sources.

Unit 1

B. Additional Practices NOT Considered in Class
  • marriage in Vedic society
    Laws of Manu (IAR,354-55) & "The Gambler" (MOO, 150-51)
    (reflection: legacy, Brahma, demon, luck)
    (community: class, Veda, marriage)
  • wandering asceticism in ancient India
    "Ascetic Withdrawal or Social Engagement" (RAP, 122-35)
    (    reflection: dharma, moksha, debt, karma, forefathers)
    (community: Veda, brahmin, ascetic, Buddha)
  • telling & listening to Buddhist Jataka tales
    "...the Jataka" & "The Tigress" (ASA, 21-29 & 237-41)
    (reflection: Tathagatha, dharma, karma)
    (community: Benaras, Ananda, Dunhuang)
  • medieval Jain storytelling
    "Stories of Renunciation" (RAP, 88-93) + IAR, 101-108
    (reflection: Jina, jiva, karma)
    (community: confession, Svetambara, M.K. Gandhi)
  • modern Theravada meditation & ascetic practice
    "What is Theravada Buddhism" & "Ajaan Sao's Teaching"
    + IAR, chapters 109-20 & 156-61
    (reflection: karma, duhkha, interdependent arising, nirvana)
    (community: sangha, Theravada, Sri Lanka)
  • modern vedanta ascetic practice & reflection
    IAR, 31-40, 46-48 & 94 + "Vedanta Monasticism" (web site)
    &/or Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, chapter 12 (IAR, 362-63)
    (reflection: brahman, karma, purusha)
    (community: samnyasa, Vivekananda, Vedanta society)
  • telling & listening to the Ramayana epic
    (MOO, 168-74, 227-31) OR (MOO, 175-81, 219-226)
    (reflection: heaven, Gods, Lord, love, loyalty)
    (community: Ceylon, Ayodhya, Janaka)
  • telling & listening to the Kurma Purana
    • "The Origin of Linga Worship" (RAP, 150-61)
    (reflection: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)
    (community: Pine Forest, Pancaratra school, Pasupatas)
  • carving & viewing the erotic temple scupture of Khajuraho
    "Reading Love Imagery on an Indian Temple" (ASA, 71-82)
    (reflection: Vishnu, Shiva, kama, )
    (community: shilpa, Yashovarman, Vidhyadhara, Tantric sects)
  • studying poetry in medieval Bengal
    "The Treasury of Well-Turned Verse" (MOO, 316-28)
    (reflection: beauty, time, Kama, god of love)
    (community: Jagaddala, peasants/farmers, monastery)
  • image worship in medieval South India
    "Chola Bronzes from South India" (web site)
    (reflection: Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Uma)
    (community: sculptors, priests, temple festival)
  • image worship in medeival Buddhist India
    "selections from A Record of the Buddhist Countries" (ASA, 30-33)
    & "Bathing the Buddha" (RAP, 206-15) + IAR, 121-28, 133-36, 236-48
    (reflection: Buddha, bodhisattva, dharma body)
    (community: Khotan, Faxian, Yijing, Manicintana, Western Regions)

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